Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 

Joseph W. Luckett, Jr.

Distinguished Engineer

1982

Degree

Petroleum Engineering – 1948

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 1982

As a man involved in the petroleum industry all of his professional life, Joseph W. Luckett. Jr. has left his stamp upon it in such widely separated places as Midland, Texas; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Denver, Colorado, and now in Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Luckett was born in Breckenridge, but grew up and graduated from high school in Eldorado, Texas. After attending Sul Ross College for one year, he came to Texas Tech in the fall of 1942. His college career was interrupted by WWII, however, after 2 years in military service he resumed his education. While an undergraduate he was a member and officer in Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, and Kappa Mu Epsilon honorary fraternities, and served as publicity chairman for the Tech Engineering Show. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1948.

After graduation, he began his career with the Pure Oil Company, which later merged with Union Oil, where he has remained until the present. From 1948 to 1963, he held the positions of geologist, district geologist, chief division geologist, and district exploration manager in the West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico and West Central Texas areas.

In 1963, he became division exploration manager in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the Canada and Alaska areas. In 1964, he moved to Denver, Colorado as division manager; later becoming general manager for the Exploration and Production Division covering the northern United States.

After the merger between Pure Oil Company and Union Oil Company, Mr. Luckett continued in this position. In 1969, this Division was elevated to Region status and his position to that of vice president. In 1971, he assumed his present position as Vice President of Administration and Planning, Oil and Gas Division in Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Luckett’s courageous character was revealed during his military service. From 1943–1945 he served in the 104th Infantry Division, 415th Infantry Regiment and in 1950, the 5th Armored Division rising in rank from private to 2nd Lt. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Cluster, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, ET0 with 3 Battle Stars, and the Purple Heart.

He has always been active in his professional organizations and currently holds membership in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists as member of the Certification Board; the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists; the American Institute of Professional Geologists; the Los Angeles Petroleum Club; and the American Petroleum Institute, serving on the Committee on Exploration Affairs. He is also a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado.

Joe Luckett is a family man, who has given much time to civic affairs, especially those involving his children as they grew up. He has given his lime to the United Way; to the Boy Scouts of America as Chairman of the Pack Committee for Cub Pack 346, in Denver, Colorado; and to Junior All–American Football as a member of the Board of Directors in Los Angeles. He has also served as a deacon in his church.

When time permits he indulges his hobbies of fishing and big game hunting. He also enjoys furniture refinishing and is an amateur gunsmith.

Because of the outstanding contributions that he made to his profession and the honor that he has brought to his alma mater, the College of Engineering takes pleasure in recognizing Joseph W. Luckett, Jr. as a DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER.

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